Amusement apparatus



Aug. 27, 1929. L. o. DowERs 1,726,262

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed May 23. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y L. @Dhu/e246 Stuff/WJ Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED STATES LEE O. BOWERS, OF KEARNEY, NIEIBASKA,A ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO PERLEY E.

. 1,726,262 PATENT OFFICE.

BROWN, or KEARNEY, NEBRASKA.

AMUSEMENT Application med Mayes,

This invention hasl for its object the provision of a merry-go-round for the use of children which will be strong and durable and of such construction that the users will not be apt to be injured. The invention has for another object the provision of an apparatus for the stated purpose which will need very little attention during the season of use and which may be safely operated `by the users. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a merrygo-round embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical diametric section, and

Figs; 3 and 4 are enlarged details showing certain features `of the construction.`

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a base'or foundation member which is intended to merely rest upon the ground and may be constructed of any suitable material. In the present drawings, this base or foundation member is shown as consisting of longitudinal inverted channel bars 1 and transverse inverted channel bars 2 rigidly secured together. These bars may be provided in any desired number and are so connected as to present a substantial supporting base preferably of rectangular outline. At the center of this base member is secured a pedestal 3 which is a metallic casting having sides of skeleton form and provided near its upper end with a horizontal body 4 and an upstanding rim or flange 5 around the margin of said body. Braces 6 extend from the corners of the base to the lower corners of the pedestal 3 and similar braces 7 extend from the corners of the base to the corners of the body portion 4 of the pedestal, a very rigid and strong structure being thus attained. The braces are rigidly bolted to the base and to the pedestal and very efficiently withstand the twisting strains imposed upon the apparatus while it is in use. Rising centrally from the body portion 4 of the pedestal andformed integral therewith is a hollow spindle 8 which is reinforced by a rod 9 extending centrally through the spindle for the entireheight of the same and having its upper end projected above the top of the spindle, as cl-early shown in Fig. 2. .The spindle is tapered upwardly externally and the annular chamber 10 between the rim 5 APPARATUS.'

1928. Serial No. 280,058.

and the lower end portion of the spindle is utilized as a reservoir for oil so that the rotating parts of the structure' will be thoroughly lubricated at their bearings and free rotation of the platform will be assured.

upon the spindle 8 to rotate thereon is av sleeve 12 which bears at its upper and lower ends upon the spindle but is spaced therefrom between its ends, as shown at 13, and an oil cup 14 carrying hard oil may be mounted in the upper portion of the sleever to supply lubricant to this annular space. The lower end of the sleeve is constructed to provide a hub 15 fitting closely about the lower portion of the spindle within the oil reservoir 10 `and an anti-friction through. .y bearing 16 is disposed' about the lower end of the spindle below the lower end of the hub, as shown in Fig. 2. The reinforcing rod 9 is equipped at its upper extremity'with a ball or dome 17 which imparts a near" finish to the apparatus and prevents access of moisture or dirt to the end of the rod. Also carried by the rod below the dome is a cap plate 18 which covers the upper end of the spindle and extends radially beyond the outer side of the same so as to span the upper end of the rotating sleeve 12, the entrance of dirt and moisture to the sleeve being thereby prevented. At the upper end of the hub 15, a lower collar 19 is formed upon the rotating sleeve and at the upper end of the sleeve is an annular shoulder 2O upon which rests an upper collar 21. Rigidly secured upon the lower collar 19 are tubular spokes 22 which extend outwardly therefrom to support an inner platform 23 which extends to and around the rotating sleeve and is fitted closely about the same so that it will rotate therewith and with the spokes 22, the outer ends of the spokes, however, projecting beyond the outer edge of the platform, as clearly shown in the drawings. A molding or finishing strip or rail 24 is secured to and extends throughout the extent of the edge of the inner platform 23 and rests upon the spokesso that a neat finish is imparted to the platform and also the space between the platform and the spokes, if such should exist, will be closed and the liability of the clothing of the chil dren becoming lodged in such space will be overcome. Upon the outer extremity of each spoke is secured a saddle 25 which has side wings 26 projecting laterally from the spokes, the saddles being secured in place by bolts 27 inserted through the spokes and the saddles, as will be understood. Extending from the inner edge of each saddle to the upper collar 21 is a brace 28 which is rigidly secured to the saddle and` the collar respectively, and resting upon each wing 26 of each saddle is the end of an outer platform or lseat 29, as shown. The outer platform 29 is spaced from the outer edge of the inner platform and a hand rail is carried by the braces 28 over the outer edge of the inner platform whereby the children seated upon the outer Iplatform may steady themselves and maintain their positions upon the outer platform or seat bars. The hand rail consists of bars 30 disposed between the braces 28 and having their ends connected by clamping plates or links 3l and 32 which pass respectively above and below the braces 28 and thereby secure the hand rail in position without requiring the formation of bolt holes through the braces 28 to weaken the same. Reinforcing straps 83 are secured transversely upon the seat boards 29 at the ends thereof by the same bolts which secure the seat boards to the wings 26 of the saddles, splitting or splintering of the ends of the seat boards being thereby guarded against.

In the use of the apparatus, the children seat themselves upon the seat boards 29 and propel the device by kicking against the ground, and it will be noted that there is no driving gearing employed which may be the cause of injury to any of the children. The inner platform provides a large surface upon which children may stand but at the same time covers the lower part of the apparatus so that the children cannot accidentally come in contact therewith.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

An amusement apparatus comprising a supporting structure, a tubular spindle rising from said structure, a sleeve rotatably fitted upon the spindle, a lower collar on the sleeve near the lower end thereof, an upper collar fitted on the upper end of the sleeve, arod passed through said spindle and fitting snugly therein with its ends projecting from the upper and lower ends of the spindle, means at the lower end of said rod to limit upward movement thereof, a cap plate fitting about the upper end of the rod and overlapping the upper collar, means at the upper end'of the rod to engage said plate and prevent downward movement of the rod, spokes secured to and radiating from the lower collar, braces extending between and secured to the ends of the spokes and thev upper collar, and platform carried by the spokes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LEE o. Downns. [L s] 

